I create this thread to collect issues related to the current build-tool and auto-queuing, as a mixture of bug-report and enhancement request. Please add additional issues you’ve observed (I’ll try to add them to the first post for consistency.)
1. Build-tool discourages use of appealing versions.
In the build tool, no feedback is available on the number of stocked building parts. As a consequence, the system strongly discourages using higher-quality versions of furniture and building parts, since those of sufficient quality may not actually be available.
Possible solutions. (a) Add an inventory counter in item-placement part of the build tool. Would also greatly help when playing without auto-queue option. (b) Option for hearthlings to ignore part quality / automatically choose highest or lowest quality version.
Workaround. Place windows manually after the walls are finished. (Inconvenient.)
2. Auto-queue: Underproduction of standard quality
(1) Plan a building with 20 windows, when no standard-quality windows are in stock with enabled auto-queueing. Chances are, that some of the produced windows will have higher quality and thus be unusable for the planned building, effectively making the auto-queue tool not fulfill its purpose.
Possible solution. Option to make hearthlings ignore the quality when placing items for buildings. Possible extra option to make them explicitly prefer high-quality versions (usecase: higher city-appeal) or low-quality versions (usecase: keep expensive ones for selling).
Workaround. Ignore the auto-queue feature (inconvenient).
See also Auto-queue issue with new Appeal feature
3. Auto-queue: Overproduction of stocked parts.
When experimenting with buildings, frequent tearing-down of old versions coupled with the “auto-queue” option will result in spamming the inventory with windows. E.g., recently I found myself with over 100 latticed clay windows in stock, after I used them as railings for a large bridge, that I had to redo several times.
Possible solution. Make auto-queue take into account the current stock levels. (Requirements for a vendor can still easily be fulfilled with the “=” option of the crafter menu.)
Workaround. Ignore the auto-queue feature (inconvenient).
See also Smart auto queue crafting for building, Auto queue crafting for building issue